Black Antlers is a studio album by the experimental band Coil. It was originally released in CD-R format in 2004 in a limited edition and was sold during their Even an Evil Fatigue mini-tour. The album was later re-edited by Peter Christopherson and expanded to include a second CD of two new tracks, as well as a new track on the first disc. The second edition was released in August 2006 on the same day as the expanded version of The Remote Viewer. Both reissues were mastered by Mark Godwin, printed in Thailand and feature high quality images and packaging. Although the original edition did not include a catalogue number, the reissue was given a catalogue number of THBKK2. Both reissues are currently available at the official Coil website, thresholdhouse.com. All songs from the original pressing of the album were played live around the time of this release. One such performance – Coil's June 2004 appearance in Jesi, Italy – was recorded and issued as Selvaggina, Go Back into the Woods, allowing comparison between the studio versions and their slightly altered live arrangements.
Song info
"The Gimp " was originally released as a recording by Coil on the compilation Hate People Like Us featuring remixes and covers of the band People Like Us. The original version was titled "The Gimp/Sometimes" and sounds much less developed than the version on Black Antlers. The lyrics to this song also appeared in an untitled live piece performed at New Forms III in 2002. "Sex with Sun Ra" had been mentioned by Coil for many years before finally appearing on Black Antlers, even as far back as six years prior. A version of "Sex with Sun Ra ", titled simply "Sex with Sun Ra", later appeared on the compilation Rough Trade Shops: Counter Culture 04. The version on the compilation is 6:00 in length. The track was written about eccentric jazz musician Sun Ra. "Wraiths and Strays " is from a live performance on 29 May 2003, in Montreal, Canada at Mutek 2003. "The Wraiths and Strays of Paris" is an edited version of a live performance in Paris, France at on 23 May 2004. The key difference between the two versions is that the Mutek performance features only Christopherson and Thighpaulsandra while the Paris recording features the full touring line-up. The song is built around a sample of the track "Montparnesse" by King of Woolworths which was initially used without permission. "All The Pretty Little Horses" is a traditional lullaby that was brought to light on the Current 93 album All the Pretty Little Horses. Balance provided vocals for three tracks on this album and often introduced the song live as being "from my friend's album". "Teenage Lightning " is a version of the songs "Teenage Lightning 1" and "Teenage Lightning 2" from the previous Coil album Love's Secret Domain. The version of the song as it appears on "Black Antlers" is similar to the version on The Ape of Naples titled "Teenage Lightning 2005". "Black Antlers " is a cover of the 1988 acid house track "Where's Your Child?" by Bam Bam. Coil's studio recording is instrumental but, when performing the song live, Balance sang the vocal parts from the Bam Bam version.
